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Fuel petition calls for action
Almost 2000 people have signed up to an online petition calling for action to reduce the cost of fuel in Scotland’s islands and rural areas. The campaign has been launched by Am Pàipear, the community newspaper of the Uists in the Outer Hebrides, on behalf of their readers.The petition calls for fuel costs in rural areas to be the same as in urban areas. It highlights that the Western Isles, and other rural areas, are among the most expensive places in the world to buy petrol or diesel. France is used as an example because there fuel tax is reduced in very remote areas. The petition also protests at consequences for rural motorists, businesses and fishermen.
Speaking about the campaign Am Pàipear’s editor, Helena Coxshall said, "We have been inundated with concerns from the local community who have asked us what we are able to do to highlight the distress that high fuel prices are causing.
"Fuel prices have rocketed and our islands are suffering more than anyone. We have decided to take the issue to the government and have launched a petition to the Scottish Parliament requesting that they represent the views of not only our, but Scotland’s wider rural community.
"Not only does the cost of fuel impact on us all here, with crofters, fishermen, business and motorists suffering, but the additional effect of a decline in tourism hits us even harder.
"We are asking that everyone who is affected by the high cost of fuel sign our petition on the Scottish Parliament website whether resident in the islands or not. If you live in the Highlands, or any other rural community, you will be among the hardest hit. Not only is the price of petrol and diesel rocketing, the price of heating oil has doubled in 18 months, putting enormous strain on the elderly in particular. If you live in our cities you will probably not be able to enjoy your own beautiful countryside and islands as holiday destinations because of the high cost of fuel. It is as beneficial to our urban communities as it is to our rural communities to ensure that the cost of fuel in rural Scotland is not prohibitive.
"We are not asking for any special treatment over our city neighbours: all we are asking for is that fuel in our rural communities doesn’t cost any more than it does in our cities."
E-petition
The petition urges "the Scottish Government to make representations to the UK Government about the cost of fuel in the Western Isles and other rural areas of Scotland which are now among the most expensive places in the world to buy petrol or diesel; to highlight in particular the refusal of the UK Government to introduce measures similar to those operating in France which reduce the tax on fuel in very remote areas; to protest at the serious consequences which high fuel prices have for fishermen, motorists and businesses in island and rural areas and to request parity with mainland city prices."
Am Pàipear’s petition is being supported by Western Isles politicians Alasdair Allan MSP and Angus Brendan MacNeil MSP. You can find the e-petition on the Scottish Parliament website. The closing date for signatures is 25th August 2008.
New car tax bands
On another motoring issue, car tax is changing so that vehicles will be classified by their carbon dioxide emissions. This means that people with more environmentally-friendly cars will be paying less, and those with higher-polluting vehicles will be paying more. You can read more about the new car tax bands on the BBC website.
What do you think?
Has the rising cost of fuel affected you? Do you agree with Am Pàipear’s petition? What do you think the Government should be doing? You can give us your thoughts on the issues raised in this article by adding a comment.
- Source
- Other source
- Date
- 10-Jul-2008
- Categories
- All Scotland, News - General, News - Top Story